Registered Nurse - ICU

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) for the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center ICU in Milwaukee, WI.

The role focuses on high-acuity patient care, extensive monitoring, and complex interventions in a demanding environment. Candidates must hold a current RN license, a nursing degree (BSN/ADN or diploma), and demonstrate English proficiency for direct patient care.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care in English.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (BSN/ADN or diploma) with current active license.
• For master's bridge candidates, eligibility to become licensed in a state may apply.

Responsibilities

• Deliver fundamental knowledge-based nursing care to assigned clients.
• Provide high levels of monitoring and surveillance for vulnerable, unstable patients.
• Perform comprehensive assessments, therapies and high-intensity interventions as required.
• Maintain infection control standards and safe operation of equipment.
• Prioritize information and respond to rapidly changing patient conditions.
• Support patients and families with care planning and end-of-life considerations.

Skills

English language proficiency

Critical care nursing

Education

BSN/ADN or Diploma in Nursing

State nursing license

Bridge program eligibility

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center - Milwaukee - Wisconsin - in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The function of the Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) is to delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while providing high levels of monitoring and surveillance for highly vulnerable - unstable - and complex patients who require complex assessments - therapies - and high-intensity interventions.

This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center - Milwaukee - Wisconsin - in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The function of the Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) is to delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while providing high levels of monitoring and surveillance for highly vulnerable - unstable - and complex patients who require complex assessments - therapies - and high-intensity interventions.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13062892
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• The ICU RN requires professional competency - cognitive competency - interpersonal skills - and knowledge of critical care patterns of interaction to care for a population of patients at high risk for actual or life-threatening problems
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Support and maintain the physiologic stability of patients
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment
• Assimilate and prioritize information sources to take immediate and decisive patient focused action
• Respond with confidence and adapt to rapidly changing patient conditions
• Respond to the unique needs of patients and families coping with unanticipated treatment - quality of life - and end-of-life decisions
• Manage appropriately the interface between the patients and technology that may be threatening - invasive - and complex - so that a human needs for safe - respectful - healing - humane and caring environment is established and maintained
• Monitor and allocate critical care services - recognizing fiduciary role of nurses working in a resource-intensive environment
• Practice requirements include Basic Life Support (BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Cardiac dysrhythmia identification and treatment
• Application of principles of critical nursing in the assessment and evaluation of physiological and psychological responses to treatment
• Use of specialize therapies including but not limited to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) management
• Manage perioperative care including potential complications resulting from medical/surgical diagnostic procedures - and the ability to resuscitate critically ill patients using evidence based guidelines and appropriate technology
• All other duties as assigned
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: NOCs - with variable tour rotations - weekends and holiday tours Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No Authorized